The International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly condemned the latest round of sanctions imposed by the United States on senior court officials, including Fijian Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan, calling the move a direct assault on the Court’s independence and the global pursuit of justice.
In a formal statement released today, the ICC said it “deplores the announcement” by the U.S. administration, which sanctioned four additional ICC officials.
Those sanctioned by the USA are Judges Kimberly Prost (Canada) and Nicolas Guillou (France), along with Deputy Prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji) and Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal).
“These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution,” the ICC stated,.
“They undermine the rules-based international order and disrespect the collective voice of 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute.”
Nazhat Shameem Khan, a Fijian jurist and former High Court judge, was appointed Deputy Prosecutor of the ICC in 2022.
She is the first Pacific Islander to serve at such a high level within the Court.
The sanctions come in response to the ICC’s ongoing investigations into alleged war crimes, including the Court’s recent issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, actions the U.S. opposes.
“The Court stands firmly behind its personnel and victims of unimaginable atrocities,” the ICC statement continued.
“The ICC will continue fulfilling its mandate, undeterred, in strict accordance with its legal framework… without regard to any restriction, pressure or threat.”
“Now more than ever, those who share the values of humanity and the rule of law must provide firm and consistent support to the Court.”